PATA and GBTA have formed a strategic partnership to expand corporate travel engagement, buyer participation and business exchange at PATA Travel Mart 2027 in Macao.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) have formed a strategic partnership for PATA Travel Mart 2027. The agreement aims to strengthen the event’s corporate business travel component.
PATA Travel Mart 2027 will take place in Macao, China, from 20 to 22 September 2027. Under the agreement, GBTA will serve as the event’s Strategic Corporate Travel Partner.
The partnership will connect GBTA’s global network of corporate buyers, procurement professionals and travel managers with PATA’s Asia-Pacific tourism marketplace.
Partnership targets stronger corporate buyer participation
The two organisations will focus on programme development, buyer mobilisation and knowledge exchange. They also plan to strengthen targeted business-to-business engagement.
GBTA will support the development and delivery of corporate business travel content within the PTM Knowledge Forum. It will also use its professional network and communication channels to attract qualified corporate buyers.
Meanwhile, PATA will support buyer participation through its standard hosted buyer qualification and approval procedures.
The agreement also covers joint marketing and promotional activities. As a result, PATA and GBTA aim to connect Asia-Pacific tourism suppliers with a wider international corporate travel community.
MOU signed during PATA Travel Mart 2026
The two organisations signed the Memorandum of Understanding on 18 August 2026. The signing took place during the PTM Knowledge Forum at PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, and Elle Ng-Darmawan, Senior Director, APAC at GBTA, signed the agreement.
“Corporate travel plays an important role in connecting destinations, businesses and communities across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA. “Our partnership with GBTA will bring together complementary networks and expertise, creating new opportunities for meaningful business connections and knowledge exchange. We look forward to working together to further strengthen the corporate travel component of PATA Travel Mart 2027 in Macao.”
GBTA highlights APAC business travel growth
GBTA said the Asia-Pacific region continues to play a major role in global business travel spending. The association also pointed to the scale and growth of the regional market.
Elle Ng-Darmawan, Senior Director, APAC at GBTA, said:
“As the world’s largest and fastest growing region for business travel spending, APAC continues to play a critical role in driving global economic growth, trade and connectivity. GBTA’s recent 2026 Business Travel Index report underscores the scale and dynamism of the APAC market, which in turn makes collaboration across the travel ecosystem more essential than ever.
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Our partnership with PATA creates a timely platform to connect travel managers, suppliers, destination leaders and other industry professionals in Macao. By combining our networks and expertise, we can unlock new opportunities, drive greater value for our members and ensure the region’s travel industry will continue to thrive.”
PATA Travel Mart 2027 to expand business travel exchange
The partnership is designed to make PATA Travel Mart 2027 more business-driven. Corporate buyers will gain more opportunities to discover destinations, products and services across Asia-Pacific. At the same time, suppliers will gain direct access to qualified decision-makers from the global business travel sector.
The event will bring together tourism suppliers, buyers and other industry stakeholders from across Asia-Pacific and international markets. Its programme will combine business exchange, networking and knowledge sharing.
By adding a stronger corporate travel component, PATA Travel Mart 2027 will broaden its role as a regional B2B tourism marketplace. The partnership with GBTA will also strengthen links between destination organisations and the global business travel community.